I'm keeping this all positive because at the beginning of the season I anticipated a 9-3 season with losses to G-Tech and USC and considered doing a "Most Overrated/Biggest Bust" award. But screw that. We're 6-1 with plenty to be happy about and plenty of demons to still exorcise, and we're heading to the bye week with that record and a great recruiting weekend to couple with it. So let's get to the awards...please join in and offer your winners as well.
Best Game:
Winner - Notre Dame 38 Texas 3: It was a domination from the opening kick off and the most complete game of the year. Passing, Rushing, Defense and special teams all worked together for a statement beginning to the 2015 campaign.
Honorable Mention - Notre Dame 30 Georgia Tech 22: The only reason this wasn't the winner was because of the 4th quarter. Fantastic game plan on defense; Efficient and masterful first start for Deshon Kizer in a pressure packed situation.
Best Play Offense:
Winner: Sept. 12th, Deshon Kizer's pass to Will "the Thrill" Fuller for the victory against the Virginia Cavaliers. Every team plays their best against ND. Everything concerning momentum and symbolism, following Malik's injury, of an epic collapse was evident, until "that play".
Honorable Mention: 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter vs. GT, CJ "precision" Prosise breaks a 91 yard run for a touchdown. Hey national media...ND has some speed too...
Best Play Defense:
Winner: Jaylon Smith creates and collects a fumble recovery against GT. Showing his unrealistic athleticism in the early 3rd quarter, JS attacks Thomas, causes the fumble and recovers it for a 17 yard gain. This was a culmination of his skill, the defensive scheme, and a fantastic Saturday to be an ND fan.
Honorable Mention: KeiVarae Russell's interception vs. USC with 9:00 and change remaining to keep momentum with the Irish. Fantastic adjustment to the ball, range, and timing to jump and get that ball at the exact right second.
Offensive POY:
Winner: CJ Prosise. Tough to pick this one. The kid is in his 3rd position at ND, thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury to Folston, and has put his name on heisman lists and NFL draft lists with his vision, elusiveness, speed and grit.
Honorable Mention: Will Fuller. Goodness gracious, this kid is fast and has such a gift with reacting to the football in the air and making difficult things seem so easy. A very tough pick to put him behind CJ Prosise.
Defensive POY:
Winner: Sheldon Day. I can't believe it's not Smith. I can't believe it's not Smith. I can't believe it's not Smith...Sheldon has made so many key stops at important junctures of games that I have to pick him here. It seems to be the case this year that if ND needs a stop or needs a spark, SD finds his way into the backfield to get a TFL. Very few missed assignments and tackles, quick as a cat off the ball, makes O-Line look foolish each and every game. He's special...
Honorable Mention: Speaking of special, Jaylon Smith...need I say more.
Special Teams POY:
Winner: CJ Sanders. Who doesn't love that we have someone who not only can catch the kicks amongst a throng of defenders and not bat an eye, but also shifts like a squirrel on amphetamines to turn the field over on special teams and put ND in good position. Sure he makes his mistakes every now and then, but who doesn't?
Honorable Mention: Justin Yoooooooooooooonnnnnnnnn. Were it not for a case of the jitters early in the season, he would win it. Great poise shown in the past few weeks and a true asset for the next 3+ years.
Unsung Offensive Player:
Winner(s): Steve Elmer/Nick Martin. If you don't hear an O-Lineman's name called, that's a good thing. These two are so consistent, strong, and powerful a C and RG. Q. Nelson had a great start but is battling injury. Stanley has too many penalties, but is still a force on pass protection. Stay incognito my friends, that'll get you drafted and maybe get you some award recognition at the end of the year.
Honorable Mention: TE by committee. True frosh, Redshirt frosh, converted DL, and what was once a castaway at the position have filled in and made a difference. No, they aren't meeting the standards of Rudolf and Eifert as #1 targets. Yes, there's been holding calls on Luatua and drops by Alize. But the position is getting it done as a 3rd/4th option in the passing game, and opening up holes in the running game is getting results.
Unsung Defensive Player:
Winner: Elijah Shumate. Out of the dog house, into unsungness. He's been consistent, a fantastic tackler in open space and a positive to the defensive unit.
Honorable Mention: James Onwualu. Where he needs to be 95% of the time. Sure-tackler and a solid cover man. Not on Jaylon's plain for athleticism, but he can definitely run down some opponents.
Top True Frosh Performer:
Winner: Jerry Tillery. He and the "Cage"d animal are making it easy to forget about Jarron Jones. Excellent focus in learning the defense and putting himself in position to make such an important impact his frosh year.
Honorable Mention: Justin Yoon. I have to shout out to him again. The kicking game is points. Points lead to wins.
Breakout Performer Offense:
Winner: Deshon Kizer. Few to no 1st team reps in the spring because EG hoarded time. Very little backup time prior to his first action vs. Virginia. Deshon has truly broken out. His footwork on throws leaves much to be desired which is why we see passes sail up when he's shifting up or to the right, and flame out in the turf when he's moving left or backwards. However, the leadership, competitiveness, and drive of this young man cannot be denied. He wants to WIN!!!!
Honorable Mention: Tori Hunter Jr. I'm not putting CJ Prosise in here just because we knew he was capable last year with his yards per catch and breakout runs. But Tori looks good. I'm looking forward to seeing him get the ball more.
Breakout Performer Defense:
Winner: Cagery/Tillerage. These two are getting better and better each week. They seem to adapt to each of the different offensive looks they're challenged with and make the most of it. Jerry has a good week, then Cage, then Jerry, etc. Definitely not a weak spot.
Honorable Mention: Isaac Rochelle. It feels odd putting him here and I don't think I agree with myself in this. But we knew Isaac could be good or borderline great. And he has been good and borderline great, even dominant in certain games and situation. It's not like he was an unknown, but he wasn't a known either...hmmm...oh well. I'm glad to have him, and he is a force to be reckoned with.
Best Game:
Winner - Notre Dame 38 Texas 3: It was a domination from the opening kick off and the most complete game of the year. Passing, Rushing, Defense and special teams all worked together for a statement beginning to the 2015 campaign.
Honorable Mention - Notre Dame 30 Georgia Tech 22: The only reason this wasn't the winner was because of the 4th quarter. Fantastic game plan on defense; Efficient and masterful first start for Deshon Kizer in a pressure packed situation.
Best Play Offense:
Winner: Sept. 12th, Deshon Kizer's pass to Will "the Thrill" Fuller for the victory against the Virginia Cavaliers. Every team plays their best against ND. Everything concerning momentum and symbolism, following Malik's injury, of an epic collapse was evident, until "that play".
Honorable Mention: 7 minutes left in the 4th quarter vs. GT, CJ "precision" Prosise breaks a 91 yard run for a touchdown. Hey national media...ND has some speed too...
Best Play Defense:
Winner: Jaylon Smith creates and collects a fumble recovery against GT. Showing his unrealistic athleticism in the early 3rd quarter, JS attacks Thomas, causes the fumble and recovers it for a 17 yard gain. This was a culmination of his skill, the defensive scheme, and a fantastic Saturday to be an ND fan.
Honorable Mention: KeiVarae Russell's interception vs. USC with 9:00 and change remaining to keep momentum with the Irish. Fantastic adjustment to the ball, range, and timing to jump and get that ball at the exact right second.
Offensive POY:
Winner: CJ Prosise. Tough to pick this one. The kid is in his 3rd position at ND, thrust into the starting lineup due to an injury to Folston, and has put his name on heisman lists and NFL draft lists with his vision, elusiveness, speed and grit.
Honorable Mention: Will Fuller. Goodness gracious, this kid is fast and has such a gift with reacting to the football in the air and making difficult things seem so easy. A very tough pick to put him behind CJ Prosise.
Defensive POY:
Winner: Sheldon Day. I can't believe it's not Smith. I can't believe it's not Smith. I can't believe it's not Smith...Sheldon has made so many key stops at important junctures of games that I have to pick him here. It seems to be the case this year that if ND needs a stop or needs a spark, SD finds his way into the backfield to get a TFL. Very few missed assignments and tackles, quick as a cat off the ball, makes O-Line look foolish each and every game. He's special...
Honorable Mention: Speaking of special, Jaylon Smith...need I say more.
Special Teams POY:
Winner: CJ Sanders. Who doesn't love that we have someone who not only can catch the kicks amongst a throng of defenders and not bat an eye, but also shifts like a squirrel on amphetamines to turn the field over on special teams and put ND in good position. Sure he makes his mistakes every now and then, but who doesn't?
Honorable Mention: Justin Yoooooooooooooonnnnnnnnn. Were it not for a case of the jitters early in the season, he would win it. Great poise shown in the past few weeks and a true asset for the next 3+ years.
Unsung Offensive Player:
Winner(s): Steve Elmer/Nick Martin. If you don't hear an O-Lineman's name called, that's a good thing. These two are so consistent, strong, and powerful a C and RG. Q. Nelson had a great start but is battling injury. Stanley has too many penalties, but is still a force on pass protection. Stay incognito my friends, that'll get you drafted and maybe get you some award recognition at the end of the year.
Honorable Mention: TE by committee. True frosh, Redshirt frosh, converted DL, and what was once a castaway at the position have filled in and made a difference. No, they aren't meeting the standards of Rudolf and Eifert as #1 targets. Yes, there's been holding calls on Luatua and drops by Alize. But the position is getting it done as a 3rd/4th option in the passing game, and opening up holes in the running game is getting results.
Unsung Defensive Player:
Winner: Elijah Shumate. Out of the dog house, into unsungness. He's been consistent, a fantastic tackler in open space and a positive to the defensive unit.
Honorable Mention: James Onwualu. Where he needs to be 95% of the time. Sure-tackler and a solid cover man. Not on Jaylon's plain for athleticism, but he can definitely run down some opponents.
Top True Frosh Performer:
Winner: Jerry Tillery. He and the "Cage"d animal are making it easy to forget about Jarron Jones. Excellent focus in learning the defense and putting himself in position to make such an important impact his frosh year.
Honorable Mention: Justin Yoon. I have to shout out to him again. The kicking game is points. Points lead to wins.
Breakout Performer Offense:
Winner: Deshon Kizer. Few to no 1st team reps in the spring because EG hoarded time. Very little backup time prior to his first action vs. Virginia. Deshon has truly broken out. His footwork on throws leaves much to be desired which is why we see passes sail up when he's shifting up or to the right, and flame out in the turf when he's moving left or backwards. However, the leadership, competitiveness, and drive of this young man cannot be denied. He wants to WIN!!!!
Honorable Mention: Tori Hunter Jr. I'm not putting CJ Prosise in here just because we knew he was capable last year with his yards per catch and breakout runs. But Tori looks good. I'm looking forward to seeing him get the ball more.
Breakout Performer Defense:
Winner: Cagery/Tillerage. These two are getting better and better each week. They seem to adapt to each of the different offensive looks they're challenged with and make the most of it. Jerry has a good week, then Cage, then Jerry, etc. Definitely not a weak spot.
Honorable Mention: Isaac Rochelle. It feels odd putting him here and I don't think I agree with myself in this. But we knew Isaac could be good or borderline great. And he has been good and borderline great, even dominant in certain games and situation. It's not like he was an unknown, but he wasn't a known either...hmmm...oh well. I'm glad to have him, and he is a force to be reckoned with.
